Postpartum Psychosis

This term is used in association with the mother’s mental condition after the baby is born and is also referred to as ‘Puerperal Psychosis’. This is a mental illness characterized by severe depression and is not very well known, it only occurs in about 1 out of 1000 women.

This condition is very serious and needs to be treated immediately as a medical emergency. This can be life-threating, where the baby, as well as the mother’s life, can be at risk. This type of condition will not go away by itself and the mother needs to be hospitalised, given specialised psychiatric treatment.

During this difficult time, she will need the continual support of her friends and family. The good news is that it is a condition that is temporary and can be treated resulting in a full recovery.